What you need to know before you start

Gmail has two separate name fields: your Google Account name (the display name people see when you send them email) and your Gmail address itself (the username@gmail.com part). You can change the display name whenever you want through your account settings. Changing the actual Gmail address is harder — Google does not let you change it directly, but you can create a new Gmail address and transfer your data over, or add an alias that works like a second address.

The display name change takes effect immediately for new emails you send. Old emails you already sent will still show the old name. If you change your Gmail address by creating a new one, you will need to tell your contacts the new address and update it anywhere you have used it for logins or account recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name (what people see) in Google Account settings under "Personal info" in seconds, and it takes effect on new emails right away.
  • You cannot change your actual Gmail address directly; you must create a new Gmail account and forward mail or migrate your data.
  • Before creating a new Gmail address, download your data from the old account using Google Takeout so you do not lose emails, contacts, or calendar events.
  • Adding an alias gives you a second Gmail address that sends and receives mail to the same inbox, without abandoning your original address.
  • Tell your important contacts about any address change, and update any accounts (banking, work, social media) that use your Gmail for login or recovery.

Changing your display name in Gmail settings

Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings," then click the "Accounts and Import" tab. Under "Send mail as," you will see your current display name. Click "Edit info" next to it.

Type your new name in the "Name" field. You can use any name you want — it does not have to match your legal name or your Gmail address. Click "Save changes" when you are done. The new name will appear on emails you send from that point forward.

If you have multiple email addresses set up to send from (like a work address or alias), you can change the display name for each one separately by clicking "Edit info" next to each address in the list.

Creating a new Gmail address if you need to change your username

Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed once it is created. If you need a different username, you must create a brand new Gmail account. Before you do, download everything from your current account so you do not lose your emails, contacts, calendar, or photos.

Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" on the left, then scroll to "Download your data." Click "Create a new export" and select what you want to download: Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Drive, Photos, or everything. Google will prepare a file and email you a download link. This usually takes a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

Once you have downloaded your data, create a new Gmail account at gmail.com. Use the username you want. After your new account is set up, you can upload your contacts and calendar back in. For emails, you can either set up mail forwarding from your old account to your new one, or use a tool like Gmail's built-in import feature to pull old emails into the new account.

Setting up mail forwarding from your old Gmail to your new one

If you want to keep using your old Gmail address but have mail automatically sent to your new one, you can set up forwarding. Open your old Gmail account, click the gear icon, go to "See all settings," then click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab.

Click "Add a forwarding address" and type in your new Gmail address. Gmail will send a confirmation email to the new address — open it and click the confirmation link. After that, all new mail arriving at your old address will automatically forward to the new one.

You can choose whether to keep a copy of forwarded emails in your old inbox or delete them after forwarding. Most people keep a copy for a few months, then delete it once they are sure everything is working. You can turn off forwarding at any time by going back to the same settings and clicking "Delete" next to the forwarding address.

Adding an alias so you have two addresses in one inbox

An alias is a second Gmail address that sends and receives mail to the same inbox as your main address. You keep your original Gmail address and add a new one that works alongside it. Both addresses point to the same account, so you only have one inbox to manage.

Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, then click "Email." Under "Email addresses," click "Add another email address." Choose "Create a new Gmail address" and type the username you want. Google will add it as an alias to your account.

When you send an email, you can choose which address to send from (your original or the alias) using the "From" dropdown in Gmail's compose window. People who reply to emails sent from your alias will send their reply to that alias address, but it will land in your main inbox. This is useful if you want a professional address and a personal address without managing two separate accounts.

Updating your name across other services

If you changed your Gmail address, you need to update it anywhere you have used it. Check your most important accounts: banking, work email, social media, cloud storage, and any subscription services. Log into each one and update the email address in your account settings.

For accounts that use your Gmail address as a login or recovery method, updating it is especially important. If you do not, you may not be able to recover your account if you forget your password. Start with the accounts you use most often, then work through the rest over the next week or two.

If you set up mail forwarding from your old Gmail to your new one, you can take your time updating these accounts — mail will still reach you. But do not rely on forwarding forever; eventually update everything to your new address so you have a clean break from the old account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address back if I change my mind?

No. Once you create a new Gmail address, you cannot change it back or revert to an old one. If you create a new address and then decide you want your old one, you would have to create yet another account. Think through your new address carefully before you create it.

Will people still be able to email my old Gmail address after I change it?

Yes, if you set up mail forwarding. Emails sent to your old address will automatically forward to your new one. If you do not set up forwarding and just stop using the old address, people who email it will get a delivery failure message.

What happens to my emails if I create a new Gmail account?

Your old emails stay in your old account. They do not automatically move to your new account. You must download them using Google Takeout and import them, or set up mail forwarding so new emails reach your new address while old ones stay in the old account.

Can I have two Gmail addresses that are not connected?

Yes. You can create multiple separate Gmail accounts, each with its own inbox, contacts, and settings. They are completely independent. An alias, by contrast, is a second address attached to one account and one inbox.

Do I need to tell Google I changed my name?

No. Changing your display name in Gmail settings is all you need to do. Google does not require you to verify a legal name change or provide documentation. The display name is just what appears on your emails.